On Wednesday morning, a dramatic scene happened at the Eldoret court after a third-year university student from Nairobi was ordered to pay 7.5 million shillings. The student was found guilty of defaming someone on Facebook.
According to the report, the magistrate said that on Sunday, the student named Brian made a post on his Facebook page that was insulting to a driver. This driver works for a popular prophet in the country. The court said the post was damaging and false.
“Words have power, and the law must protect everyone,” the magistrate said.
After hearing the heavy fine, Brian started complaining loudly in the courtroom. He said the fine was too much and not fair. He also told the court that even his parents could not raise that kind of money.
“How can I pay 7.5 million? Even my parents don’t have that kind of money,” he cried.
Brian also added that someone else is paying for his school fees and taking care of his education. Because of this, he begged the court to give him 30 days to see if he could get help and raise the money.
“Please, give me one month. Maybe I can talk to my sponsor and find a way out,” he said.
As Brian continued pleading, his friends who had come to support him stood up and started protesting inside the courtroom. These fellow students shouted that the fine should be lowered.
“This is not justice! He’s just a student, not a criminal!” one of them shouted, causing more drama in the courtroom.